As teams gear up for the 2017-2018 NFL season, Roger Goodell and the NFL have placed disciplinary sanctions on a number of players this past week.  With the NFL season less than two weeks away, things are heating up with some notable suspensions and off the field issues.  The NFL has a stern policy on performance enhancing drugs/substances, or PEDs.  They take pride in the authenticity and integrity of the sport, so suspensions are necessary from time to time.  Numerous players received 4 game suspensions this past week for violating the league's personal conduct policy regarding PEDs.  These players included Ravens RB Kenneth Dixon, Redskins OLB Trent Murphy, Packers DT Letroy Guion, Cowboys DE David Irving, and Buccaneers RB Doug Martin.  Each of these players will return to their respective rosters October 2nd.

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The sanctions didn’t just stop there.  Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict was suspended four games for his controversial hit on Chiefs FB Anthony Sherman in Week 2 of the Preseason.  Questions loom if Burfict is a physical style player or a dirty player, as many suspect him of being.  Critics suggest this recent suspension could call Burfict’s future with the Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL into question.  The Bengals woes didn’t stop there, being that their CB Adam Jones was also suspended one game for violating the league's policy on performing enhancing substances.

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Saints WR Willie Snead was also suspended four games after violating the league's conduct policy.  His suspension stems from a driving incident in which he was intoxicated.  After appealing the league's decision, snead’s suspension was dropped to three games.  The New Orleans saints released a statement stating they are focused on roster adjustments and preparing for the 2017 NFL season.

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The most notable of all the suspensions handed down was that of Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott.  Elliott was recently suspended for six games for violating the league's personal conduct policy.  The suspension comes from a domestic violence incident that allegedly occurred last summer.  Following an investigation that continued for over a year, the NFL says it has substantial evidence that suggests the running back physically assaulted his ex-girlfriend Tiffany Thompson.  This past week, Elliot appealed the league's decision.  Now, he waits for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s assigned arbitrator, Harold Henderson to make a decision.  Elliott may be trying to use the court system to delay his punishment, but that is still to be determined.  As we await a ruling on that case, there are some dates to look for.  On September 2nd, Elliott  began his suspension; on September 10th the Cowboys open the Regular Season against rival New York Giants.  

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Many franchises and teams will certainly be impacted by the absence of key players due to suspensions handed down from Roger Goodell and the NFL. Only time will tell how these franchises adapt, or if they will be able to adapt. Needless to say, these suspensions will greatly impact how the 2017 NFL Regular Season plays out.